Golden Baggers is a community food growing space set up by residents for the benefit of the residents of the Golden Lane Estate.
Started in 2010 with 20 tonne bags on the unused site of the former nursery playground its popularity quickly grew and a further 20 bags were added in 2011. There is currently a waiting list.
The site comprises 40 individual tonne builders bags of soil, for the growing of fruit, vegetables, salad crops and flowers, a communal herb garden, soft fruit, apple trees in pots and a grape vine add to the range of produce grown. There is also small wildflife garden with an emphasis on bee, butterfly and insect friendly plants.
Managed by the Golden Lane Baggers each member is responsible for their own bag, the maintenance of the site and the social activities of the growing community.
A recent addition, the potting shed gives storage space, a potting bench and a meeting place. There is also a childrens bag for young gardeners to dig.
A compost maker uses our green and brown waste but some gardeners grow their own green manure.
Golden Lane Baggers organise regular social and community events for members and an Estate wide programme of To create the opportunity for the growing of fruit and vegetables for the residents of Golden Lane Estate.
To provide a designated, well managed and safe site on the
Estate for the purpose of communal food growing.
To create the opportunity for residents to meet and share knowledge and skills and to encourage members to participate in the activities of the project.
To promote the benefits of the project Estate wide, through open days and an active programme of events.
As part of the Golden Lane Gardening Group, to contribute to the development of policies and activities to improve the greening and biodiversity of the Estate.
To make a positive contribution to the sense of well being and quality of life for residents of the Golden Lane Estate.
To develop links and projects with other likeminded organisations and networks, participating in RHS Big Dig Days, Capital Growth Network Events and with Gardening Groups in The Barbican and Middlesex Street Housing Estates.
activities, including Market Days and Open Days.
The allotment scheme is open to all residents of Golden Lane
Estate. There is a current waiting list.
The project reaches all ages and social mix: men and women, young and old, children and parents, generations of families, grandchildren with their parents and grandparents, young professionals, single parents, tenants and owners.
The project aims to prioritise those residents who have no direct access to an outside space or garden area.
The project benefits the wider community on the Estate through a social programme of events.
The project has brought a lively, attractive and seasonal garden to what was a disused and neglected area on the Estate, which is of direct benefit to all residents on the Estate and to all visitors to the Estate.
